The sensation of a burnt or harsh hit, often called a “dry hit” or “throat hit,” is a common experience for many people using a vape device. This irritating feeling is usually a warning that the device or the user’s technique is out of balance. The harshness can range from a slight scratchiness to a painful, acrid sensation that causes coughing. This issue is almost always solvable by adjusting factors related to the hardware, the e-liquid, or the way the device is used.
Optimizing Your Inhalation Technique
The manner in which vapor is drawn into the lungs directly affects its temperature and concentration, influencing the harshness experienced. Vaping involves two primary techniques: Mouth-to-Lung (MTL) and Direct-to-Lung (DTL). MTL mimics a traditional cigarette, drawing vapor into the mouth first before inhaling it into the lungs. DTL requires a swift, deep inhalation straight into the lungs, often used with higher-powered devices.
Taking a fast, hard pull, especially on an MTL device, often causes a burning sensation because the coil cannot wick enough liquid quickly. The cotton wick can dry out momentarily, causing the hot wire to burn the cotton instead of vaporizing the liquid, resulting in a harsh taste. Users should adopt a slower, longer, and softer draw, typically lasting three to five seconds. This allows the liquid sufficient time to saturate the coil completely, ensuring the cotton remains moist and the vapor is produced consistently.
Understanding E-Liquid Composition
The chemical makeup of the liquid being vaporized is often a factor contributing to throat irritation. E-liquids are composed primarily of Propylene Glycol (PG), Vegetable Glycerin (VG), flavorings, and nicotine. Propylene Glycol provides the characteristic “throat hit” and carries flavor effectively, but it is also a hygroscopic compound that draws moisture from the throat and mouth, leading to dryness.
For users experiencing harshness, switching to a higher Vegetable Glycerin (VG) ratio is recommended, such as 70% VG / 30% PG or 80% VG / 20% PG. VG is thicker and smoother than PG, producing dense vapor with a much softer sensation on the throat.
Furthermore, the type of nicotine used is a major factor in perceived harshness. Traditional freebase nicotine is alkaline, possessing a high pH level that creates a strong, aggressive hit at higher concentrations.
Nicotine salts are formulated with an organic acid, such as benzoic acid, which lowers the pH of the mixture. This modification allows for a much higher concentration of nicotine to be inhaled without the intense harshness associated with high-strength freebase nicotine. If reducing overall nicotine strength is not an option, switching to a nicotine salt e-liquid provides a significantly smoother delivery. Certain flavor profiles, such as menthol, cinnamon, or citrus, can also be inherently more irritating, so experimenting with milder options may alleviate discomfort.
Adjusting Device Settings and Maintenance
Hardware settings and basic upkeep are frequent sources of throat burn, particularly the “dry hit.” This occurs when the power delivered to the coil is too high for the speed at which the cotton wick can absorb the e-liquid. Users should always check the recommended wattage range printed on the coil head by the manufacturer. Operating the device within the lower to middle part of this range ensures the liquid is vaporized cleanly without overheating the coil or burning the cotton.
A coil that has not been properly saturated is another primary cause of harshness, making “priming” a new coil necessary. Priming involves manually applying several drops of e-liquid to the exposed cotton ports before installation. Then, allow the filled tank to sit for five to ten minutes to ensure the wick is fully saturated before the first use.
The adjustable airflow on most devices controls vapor temperature and harshness. Opening the airflow intake introduces more cool air into the coil chamber, which reduces the temperature of the vapor. Conversely, closing the airflow concentrates the vapor and increases its temperature, easily leading to irritation. Simply opening the airflow slightly provides a cooler, less concentrated, and smoother vaping experience.